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SK-II vs Augustinus Bader

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

SK-II and Augustinus Bader are distinguished skincare brands offering luxurious moisturizers, targeted serums, and rejuvenating formulas. SK-II relies on its signature ingredient, pitera, to suit combination, oily, normal, and dry skin, whereas the younger German brand utilizes sophisticated, deeply hydrating compositions that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. While both cater to mature skin, acne-prone skin, and dark spots through standout options like essences and rich creams, they differ fundamentally in their botanical science and geographic origins.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

Augustinus Bader is a German skincare brand founded in 2018.

augustinusbader.combeautymatter.compitchbook.com

This page compares some of the most popular SK-II and Augustinus Bader products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SK-II vs Augustinus Bader products

People Say

SK-IIAugustinus Bader
  • Improves skin texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Softens fine lines — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Instant youthful glow — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “Instantly hydrated — Augustinus Bader The Face Oil”
  • Balances and hydrates Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Extremely dry skin saved — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “light but nourishing — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
    • “sinks in instantly — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
    • “light gel texture — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Convenient packaging Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Luxurious heavy bottle — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “epitome of luxury — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
    • “Pump dispenser is convenient. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “not sure justified by price — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “didn't see dramatic results — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
    • “minimal results for me — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Caused cystic acne — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “Feels like glue — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
  • Unpleasant scent Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like old crayons — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
    • “Smells like vegetable oil — Augustinus Bader The Face Oil”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Augustinus Bader: which is better?

Augustinus Bader stands out for lightweight moisturizers, while SK-II does better at improving skin texture and balancing hydration. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on this page.

What is the difference between SK-II and Augustinus Bader?

Augustinus Bader focuses on dry and mature skin with ingredients like TFC8, whereas SK-II uses Pitera across the products on this page and tends to do better for improving skin texture and balancing hydration. Augustinus Bader also offers more lightweight options with convenient packaging, while both brands share similar high price points and lack of results.

SK-II or Augustinus Bader: which moisturizer is better?

Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream provides superior moisturization for dry and mature skin types among the products on this page. SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence achieves a high fit for dry and mature skin as well. Both brands list no fragrance across their moisturizers.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Augustinus Bader?

Neither brand is more affordable on this page, as both share a review theme of high price. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Augustinus Bader?

According to reviewer feedback on this page, both SK-II and Augustinus Bader do equally well when it comes to breakouts.

How do the founding years and ownership structures of SK-II and Augustinus Bader compare?

SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company, whereas Augustinus Bader was founded in 2018 in Germany and operates as an independent brand.

Which brand uses Pitera as a key ingredient, and which uses TFC8?

SK-II uses Pitera as its key ingredient across the products on this page, while Augustinus Bader uses TFC8. Every product listed for both brands contains no fragrance in its ingredients.

How does the Lovi fit level for dry skin compare between SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence and Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream?

For dry skin, Lovi rates SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence as High while Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream achieves a Superior fit.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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